CONWAY, S.C. (Nov. 20, 2013) - The newly-crowned Atlantic Sun Champion ETSU men's soccer team will take on Big South Champion Coastal Carolina Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The match will be broadcast on the Big South Network.

CONFERENCE CHAMPS

The Buccaneers (10-5-4) clinched their second Atlantic Sun Championship in four years with a 3-1 win over North Florida in the A-Sun Championship Final Sunday, Nov. 17. This year's NCAA Tournament appearance is the second in ETSU program history.

Senior tri-captain and Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year Nate Hodges (Meridian, Miss.) scored ETSU's first goal of the final. Hodge's goal was followed by scores by Donte Brangman (Southampton, Bermuda) and Emmanuel Wilson (Memphis, Tenn.).

ETSU came within eight minutes of adding to its Atlantic Sun record of 10 shutouts before allowing UNF's lone goal in the 82nd minute.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Buccaneers, who rank ninth in the nation in shutout percentage (0.53) and 30th in goals against average (0.79), are one of just nine teams in the NCAA Tournament's 48-team field to have earned at least seven road or neutral-site wins.

Only five teams in the field have more wins away from home than ETSU (7-2-2).

The Buccaneers have travelled more than 6,500 miles during the season, including three road trips of 1,000 miles or more.

The Chanticleers (17-4-0), the Big South regular season and tournament champions, will enter Thursday's match riding a five-match win streak. CCU features the nation's seventh-ranked scoring offense, averaging more than two goals per game.

This year will mark the 11th NCAA Tournament appearance for CCU and third consecutive year hosting a first round match. CCU is 7-8-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 3-0-0 record at home.

The Chanticleers advanced to last year's round of 16 before losing to College Cup participant Maryland.